The PAA Digital Trade Alliance Convenes 72nd Working Group and Steering Committee Meetings in Mumbai, Celebrates 25th Anniversary and Welcomes New Associate Member from Germany
Token of appreciation presented to the long-serving members
Mumbai, India — November 12, 2025 — The PAA Digital Trade Alliance (PAA, formerly known as The Pan-Asian E-Commerce Alliance) successfully concluded its 72nd Working Group and Steering Committee Meetings in Mumbai, India, hosted by Kale Logistics India, a leading IT service provider of digital trade and logistics facilitation solutions. The meetings, held from November 10 to 12, 2025, were chaired by Tan Sri Dato' Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Bin Syed Mohamed Tahir of Dagang NeXchange Berhad.
This year’s gathering carried special significance as members came together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of PAA, marking a quarter century of innovation, collaboration, and leadership in advancing digital trade across the globe. The milestone was joyfully commemorated with a vibrant Indian cultural celebration, where members and guests were immersed in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Mumbai — a fitting tribute to PAA’s spirit of diversity, partnership, and shared achievement.
A central theme of the meetings was the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in HS Code Classification, reflecting PAA’s forward-looking approach to harnessing emerging technologies for trade facilitation. Members explored how AI-driven solutions can enhance the accuracy and consistency of product classification, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen interoperability across national trade systems.
As part of the PAA Digital Trade Platform Initiative, members reported encouraging progress on several ongoing collaborative projects. The B2B ePhyto Exchange between Thailand and the Philippines is on track to go live in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the digitalization of phytosanitary certification and commercial documentation. In addition, members from Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore shared updates on commercial data exchange initiatives designed to enhance the transparency and efficiency of cross-border transactions. The ICS2 (Import Control System 2) initiative was also discussed, underscoring PAA’s proactive engagement in aligning with evolving European Union customs and transport data requirements.
A highlight of the Mumbai meetings was the formal welcome of AEB of Germany as PAA’s newest Associate Member. AEB is a globally recognized leader in software solutions for logistics and global customs connectivity, with deep expertise in customs declaration filing and compliance. Its joining represents an important milestone for PAA, expanding its global footprint beyond the Asia-Pacific region and enriching the Alliance with fresh perspectives and expertise from Europe’s digital trade ecosystem.
As the first global alliance dedicated to promoting secure and seamless digital trade, PAA continues to strengthen partnerships with leading international organizations, including the African Alliance on Electronic Commerce (AAEC), APEC DESG (Digital Economy Steering Group), ASEAN Digital Trade Connect, UNESCAP, and the World Customs Organization Private Sector Consultative Group (WCO PSCG). Through sustained collaboration, PAA remains committed to fostering trust, interoperability, and innovation across the digital trade landscape.
The meetings concluded with the announcement that the 73rd PAA Working Group and Steering Committee Meetings will be hosted in Hong Kong, China, from May 18 to 21, 2026.
About PAA Digital Trade Alliance
Founded in 2000, the PAA Digital Trade Alliance is a pioneering global alliance committed to promoting secure and efficient digital trade. Bringing together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, PAA leads collaborative efforts to advance trade digitalization, interoperability, and connectivity worldwide.